I have had this knife block for years and love it. I probably keep about a dozen knives in it. With that many knives, they don't go down all the way, but that doesn't matter - I just need a place to hold them where they won't get dull, and where they all fit. I'm only going to grab the handle to pull it out anyway, so if the blade isn't fully in the block it's irrelevant. This knife block does that job well, much better than the wooden knife blocks with a fixed number of slots (not enough) and specific sizes (never the ones I need).

I have a Kapoosh also and am happy with it. However I wanted to make a comment about magnetic knife holders. I am a Veterinarian and have had to suture at least one cat who somehow managed to knock owners knives from the holder and make a rather large wound on his side. We surgically repaired and he is fine. I so use a magnetic holder for non-sharp items, but my Kapoosh holds my mismatched and favorite really sharp items.
Yes, I know...what was the cat doing on the counter. They do stuff they are not supposed to when you aren't looking or not there, just like children

i also have a kapoosh and had the same problem. i can only fit about 3 knives in it. after that, it is so tight that they stick out halfway. i bought it many years ago, so maybe they have revised the design. it is a genius idea, however, our knives (8 inches max) would not go all the way down. they look just like the photo above. about 1/4 of an inch sticking out, so when you place another knife in it you run the risk of cutting yourself. also, black flecks of plastic everywhere. then finally, after about a few months of use, the wooden casing split at the corner. we even tried taking the insert out and removing some of the black plastic inserts, using wood glue and nailing it back. no luck. when we tried to put the black insert back in, the other two corners split!

I have two kapoosh knife blocks, one for each house. I'm an engineer (PE) and I love them. Where else can you find another knife block that is flexible to accept multiple different-sized knives as your arsenal of cutlery evolves and expands. I agree it's not perfect, but for the cheap price of the kapoosh, there is nothing better. "My 8-in. knives stick up out of the kapoosh 0.25 in." Don't be such a cry baby! They still fit fine and don't fall out. Also, if you don't like your knives touching the black plastic, remove the plastic insert and fill the void with rice or dried beans. Problem solved.

I've had a Kapoosh for about two years. I got the metal-cased, two-level unit, which nicely houses long and short knives separately. Initially worked great, but after a while some of the rods started bending, and now it is difficult to get knives into it unless I find a "virgin" spot. I loved it at first, because I could fit my motley knives all into it, but now it is not practical.

I'll keep it short and sweet. We got a large version of the Kapoosh knife block and had high hopes -- an initial sense of optimism. We did encounter plastic bits, but weren't stressing about it. But then we started having more trouble getting knives into position. There was increasingly more resistance to getting the knives in. Thinking that plastic was being sliced off and remaining in the block to clog up the works rather than coming out (as some had), I disassembled the block. What I found is that many plastic strands were bent over inside, physically tying up the core.

Side effects aside, a knife block that i can't get knives into is an unmitigated failure.

THIS IS AN AMAZING IDEA I AM INTO DESIGNING MY KNIFE BLOCK FOR MY ENGINEERING PROJECT AND I WOULD LIKE SOME IDEAS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS IN DESIGNING I AM OPEN TO IDEAS AND I WILL ALSO COMMENT.
THANK YOU

THIS IS AN AMAZING IDEA I AM INTO DESIGNING MY KNIFE BLOCK FOR MY ENGINEERING PROJECT AND I WOULD LIKE SOME IDEAS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS IN DESIGNING I AM OPEN TO IDEAS AND I WILL ALSO COMMENT.
THANK YOU

I have had mine for about 9 years. I love it...more than my husband does, but sine it is I who uses the knives most often, I have the final say. Yes, we both have been frustrated when the knives don't go in as far as they once did and sometimes fall out. We have combed and thinned the rods twice in 9 years...and probably will again, in another few years. I don't have a spot in my kitchen for a knife magnet so this is a great alternative. We have had no trouble flecks or pieces. I say...get one...enjoy it...care for it as needed...washing and thinning...and enjoy it again...repeat as necessary.

I have found that cutting them out isn't the best solution, unless you cut them at the very base of the unit, and if yours looked like mine, there was at least 50 or so rods that were a twisted mess, and trying to get into the bottom and figure out which one is the problematic one, then finding something strong enough to cut it out (after an hour and at least cutting 50 times, your hands get very tired) ..those tend to scrunch up even more, and then you really cannot get the knives to stay put. I finally took the whole thing apart--which was a difficult chore in and of itself, and grabbed a pair of long curved needle nose pliers and started pulling out the ones that were really irreparable-twisted around one another, squished up at the bottom like a wire twist tie, etc...just yanked them out like a bad splinter and with a little tugging, they came loose. it also allowed me to "straighten" for lack of a better word, some of the rods that were salvagable and had just been caught and bent a little bit from the others that twisted around them. It took a while, a full sunday afternoon, but it was back to 95% by the time I got it all put together...and the knives went in easier, as their weren't as many rods to have scrunch up. HOWEVER, I have had to do this twice in 4 years of ownership. I have also found that you should absolutely never ever EVER place a serrated knife in there, as this is the primary cause of the rods twisting up-the serrated blades catch on the rods and as you push the knife down, it drags the rods down with them.
Now, as far as steak knives, that have a short serration, I have learned to put them in upside down at an angle ( Start upside down at a slight angle, push the knife in slowly downward and pull toward you as it goes in, like slicing a piece of cake) so the serration doesn't catch on the rods. When you remove them for use, pull out as if you are avoiding having the serration catch on the rods. You are unable to obtain a replacement block from Kapoosh...which is not a good selling point for Kapoosh. I purchased the stainless steel model,with it tilted at an angle and two separate slots for short and longer knives...and both have issues. This at the time was the most expensive one, and its very frustrating that their customer service level accepts NO RESPONSIBILITY and simply says "oh well. try taking it back to the store you got it at and see if they will accept a damaged used return, a year later". I had considered going to bamboo rods myself but for the time being, I store short knives in there, thus avoiding an accidental cut, which has happened on more than one occasion, and bought a small wood block for my other longer knives to just avoid the problem. I bought this when it first came out and was REALLY pricey...had I been able to see a review or two, I never would have wasted my money. NOT WORTH THE TIME, EFFORT, OR THE PRICE. DON'T WAST YOUR $$. Buy two wood blocks instead, or a magnetic strip